Cary council approves budget

The budget for the 2012 fiscal year is 36 percent smaller than last year's, which included a one-time payment of $128 million to the state-mandated Western Wake Regional Wastewater  Management Facilities.

Cary's tax rate will stay the same, and utility rates will go up nearly 6 percent.

The new budget eliminates 31.25 positions, but creates 27.75 new positions. Those include 15 for the new Fire Station No. 8, set to open next summer, and eight police officer positions.

The budget includes $8 million for downtown, $3.7 million for WakeMed Soccer park and $2 million to resurface streets and greenways.